The show is interesting although it would seem the dangers are oversold for dramatic effect. It being made for TV, one must view some things with a certain degree of skepticism. For the diesel fuel hauling episode down the "Million Dollar Highway" they reported the trucks as having; a 15 ton trailer, a 40 ton trailer, 9,500 gallons of diesel and combined 16,000 gallons of diesel.

I also take issue with their claim the road only has 8 foot wide lanes and that the trucks must pass within inches of each other. If you look at the highway from Google Earth you will see there is consistently at least 24 feet of paved surface plus frequently a paved shoulder and ofter an a gravel shoulder as well with complete roadway widths in excess of 36 feet - enough room for 4 trucks to pass side by side. They also try to create the impression there are no guardrails along the entire stretch of road which again is misleading. Although most of the straight stretches of road do not have guardrail it appears the outside of almost every curve that is up against a drop does have guardrail. Although they won't stop a loaded semi under all circumstances, they will keep most conventional vehicles from going over the edge and they do serve to provide a clear delineator for the edge of the roadway, which is a real aid under poor visibility conditions.

At the 7 min 20 sec point in the episode, they show a view of the trucks moving down a flat stretch of road with mountains in the background and a motorcycle rider in between the two trucks (22 minutes) and say that they have reached the base of the Million Dollar Highway, then at the 43 minute mark the same video shot shows up again with the commentary that they can relax now that they have hit a flat stretch of the highway at the end of the Million Dollar Highway. Exact same shot, same motorcycle, same background, same lighting. Do they think people don't notice these things? If it is supposed to be a reality based show, then make it reality, don't use whatever works from a production perspective without maintaining the integrity of the information.

I am not saying the work isn't dangerous or that the roadway isn't more dangerous than most roads, clearly, if you make a mistake it is. But it doesn't have as many hazards as what the producers would have one believe.

Make it real, make it realistic, but don't oversell the danger. There are thousands of tanker trucks on the highway everyday hauling not just diesel fuel, but gasoline, propane, liquified natural gas which all vaporize much more quickly than diesel fuel and ignite demonstrably more easily and are a bigger hazard to the drivers as well as anyone else involved in the incident. If you pay attention to what you are doing and use proper procedures and caution, driving in the mountains can be done as safely as anywhere else. The biggest problem is from the things you can't control, like other drivers and in most cases, that is much more likely to be a factor on a busy interstate highway with entrances and exits on both sides of the road, other drivers changing lanes quickly and without notice and where the speeds are much higher and the truck drivers have less time and distance to react.

The program itself is excelent, however the music in the background is enough to give one a headache. We're not all acid-rock addicts. How about turning down the volume.

Dangerous Drives executive protection on South Africa was a good piece. It is a warning for people that are used to safe driving environment of other countries. I have driven down that part of the N2 highway when I lived in south africa and had a brick thrown from the bridge onto my car. I was very lucky that they did not time it right, or aim right that it hit the passenger side of the car. Caused major damage to my car and I was really shaken from it. (One of the reasons I left)

They do try to put a stop to it, but it is close to impossible as the squatter camps are right next to the highway.

When you live in that environment, it seems normal behavior to lock your doors while driving, and close your windows, but when you are not used to having to be that concerned about your safety, you would be a prime target for the highjackers.

There are other places in the world that are just as dangerous as South Africa, but it does not mean that just because there are, you should not be warned about the dangers in South Africa!

Delta One is dramatizing it, but it is a TV show for entertainment.

Oatman's team seemed lost. Their posture and communication indicated to me that those locals do not normally work with Oatman and his other US consultant.

The driver kept choosing "heavy" lanes (multiple cars in front of him thus difficult to push out) instead of "light" lanes (1 car in front of them and easy to push out). They went to unknown areas with no low profile "pilot"t vehicle (local vehicle with local driver 5 minutes in front of the client vehicle to inform of dead ends, shady characters, set ups, choke points, etc.

Their comments on what type of area they were entering were strangely amateur and should have been discussed beforehand. Also Oatman had to tell the local EP driver what to do because local EP guys generally don't do it right. Maybe he has been to a driving school, but the skills part of security driving is only halve the battle. Tactics plus the driving skill will get you out of a jam.

Glad they drove slowly next to the motorcycle (that was sarcasm) they picked out, luckily it was not a hit. You can't always assume it is just a spotter, but you have to think worst case scenario. Motos are used a lot to do hits, so why cruise by slowly.

Maybe it was just how the show was cut, but the Mexico detail looked terribly ineffective.

The SA bodyguards were switched on and did it right. Oatman's team could learn from them The person above who disagrees obviously does not do high risk protection work on a regular basis.

Thanks for airing the episode of Dangerous Drives dedicated to executive protection. I have been in the business of executive protection for over 30 years and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have never been to South Africa and cannot comment on operating in that area of the world.
I have been to Mexico on numerous occassions doing EP work. The Oatman group did a great job, especially when Mr. Oatman made the call to leave a very bad area, probably before their business was complete. Too many people are afraid to make that call when necessary so as not to upset the protectee. Mr. Oatman and the protection team were very alert to their surroundings and were put in a very bad situation. They did a great job from what I could see. Finally a team that seemed to use counter-surveillance effectively.
Let's see more episodes just like this one please.

Your feature on South Africa regarding dangerous drives was extremely disappointing. It reminded of Iraq, or presidential type of protection. There is no dispute that crime is a major problem in South Africa, but to portray it in the way your program did is inaccurate and actually puts into question the objectivity of your programs. Please ensure a median opinion and not that of an entity that is trying to exploit a specific situation. I am sure the guys in the program have expert skills, but this is much more needed elsewhere in the world if they really care to make a difference. South Africa is not a banana republic. Imagine if all South Africans (official 49 million of them) has to commute in this way. Delta One is trying make money. There are many other much more dangerous regions in the world where they can use their skills. They actually advertise on their website that they will be featured on Speed. I drive the roads they mention often and it is no way similar as in the broadcast; in fact the program reminds of a Hollywood movie. Maybe Speed executives should visit some of the places/venues they portray as life threatening and determine for themselves whether their programming is realistic. World Cup soccer in South Africa is around the corner; makes one think about their real intentions, i.e. why the program is featured now. Maybe this is a good money making opportunity – a real tourist trap. Note again that South Africa has a high rate of criminal activity, but follow the rules and keep out of dangerous places and you should not have a problem, at least not where you need body guard protection. Your travel agency should advise you what and where to go and to do. I bet Delta One’s name will not come up. So why broadcast a program that creates the perception that if you want to travel safely in South Africa you need exert protection? Delta One I need to go to the Bronx next week and the week thereafter to Down Town Los Angeles – please quote your daily rates!